Muis extends financial help to more families

Dr Yaacob Ibrahim (centre, in white), with cleaner Abdullah Arbaa, 41; (third from left, in black), his wife (in red); and their four children. They were at a Ramadan bonus disbursement ceremony held at Muis' premises yesterday. -- PHOTO: BERITA HARIAN

By Priscilla Goy

About 1,000 more Muslim families will be eligible for financial assistance from the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) after it announced yesterday that it will broaden its qualifying criteria.

The monthly per capita income cap will be raised from $300 to $350, while the amount of assistance to each eligible family will also be increased by $30 a month.

Currently about 5,700 families receive this help each year.

These changes take effect from next month and will cost Muis an extra $2.57 million a year in zakat funds - the annual tithe contributed by Muslims.